How To Quit

Preparing for Quit Day

Congratulations on deciding to quit smoking…you’ve already made an important step forward! Now it’s time to start thinking about your strategy⎯how you will navigate the challenges ahead, deal with temptations, or get help when you need it. The better your preparations before quitting, the better your chances of success once you actually quit. Here are some important first steps to take:

1. Write down the reasons you want to quit smoking. To improve your health? Protect your family? Set a good example for your children? There are so many reasons to quit, but think about what’s most important to you. Answer questions to think about.
2. Pick a quit date sometime within the next few weeks. Choose a time to start when you are not likely to be under stress or least likely to be smoking anyway.
3. Identify your triggers, or why you may have relapsed in the past.
4. Plan how you will deal with temptations. Write down specific ways you will cope with cravings and document them in your craving action plan.
5. Let your family, friends or healthcare provider know you will need assistance.
6. Quit completely to increase your chances of success. Most people who try to cut down or just smoke a few cigarettes end up smoking the same amount again before long. Besides, even a few cigarettes a day can harm your health and take away from all the great benefits you will start to realize after quitting.
   
   Low tar and low nicotine cigarettes are not safer than regular cigarettes and do not lower your risk of smoking-related disease. One reason is how nicotine addiction works⎯People who switch to these types of brands usually puff longer and more often to get the same nicotine fix. Again, the best way to quit is to just quit completely.

Learn about the 5 keys to quitting.